William Archer returns home to find the town in chaos, prohibition
has taken effect and the Dallas boys along with the
church are at war.
Moonshining Episode One: Church and Water
Pete Hudson
538 Meadowvale Drive 32825
407-272-5570
Darkwolfproduction@gmail.com
INT. CHURCH - MORNING
A podium in front of a church congregation. We can hear the
murmurs of people waiting.
A beat.
Voices steadily fall silent as footsteps hit our ears.
Moving up the steps and in front of the podium is DELVIN
SINCLAIR (42) in a white robe and church garments.
DELVIN SINCLAIR
Quite now. Quite!
He holds his hands up quieting the flock.
DELVIN SINCLAIR
This congregation has fought
against all kinds of sin and
heathenry brought into our small
town.
(pause)
But, as you know these past months
a demon has sprung its head out of
hiding.
The flock mutter a resounding "gasp"
DELVIN SINCLAIR
You folks in here - we all are good
hard working Americans! We follow
the rules of God, the creed of this
here good book! But, that snake, it
comes in the form of many evils!
Sin takes many forms and this day,
It’s moonshine! The devils WATER!
It’s trying to tempt us and it has
followers and those follows of sin
who aid the devil in his cause are
none other than The Dallas boys!
Delvin bangs his fist upon his podium like Zeus tossing down
bolts of lighting.
DELVIN SINCLAIR
Some people call this church old
testament, even old timey. But, I
say, to those who question our
resolve, who question our will!
Does Gods words change with time!?
No! People change, laws change;
Gods words do not! Like Ezekiel we
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 2.
DELVIN SINCLAIR (cont’d)
shall strike down upon our enemy
with vengeance and force the sinful
into the depths of the great lake
of fire!
A resounding "Amen" echos clapping.
Delvin raises his hand as if already wining the war against
his enemy.
DELVIN SINCLAIR
It’s our time! This is the Era of
Prohibition! The era of
righteousness and a just God who
will do whatever needs to be done
to win a cause!
The applauds make Delvin smile and raise his arms embracing
those who applaud him.
DELVIN SINCLAIR
God is good!
(smirks)
God is very good.
BLACK:
The clapping fades.
EXT. BRIDGE OUTSIDE RED MILL - DUSK
The sun is slowly sinking underneath the trees.
A lone bridge just outside of town.
William Archer (30) is wearing a suit without a jacket.
A bag over his shoulder with clothes and everything he holds
dear wrapped inside.
William lays down his bag; Removes a revolver from his belt
taking out bullets and entering them into the cylinder.
He spins it.
WILLIAM ARCHER
I hate this town.
Gun back into his belt hidden. He picks up his bag crossing
the old bridge.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 3.
We linger on the sight of, William Archer, moving across the
bridge with vengeance in his heart.
A voice suddenly coming in softly.
ELLIE
(voice over)
Dear, William. Daddies died. He
didn’t come home one night, and
when I found him the next morning
he swear to seeing angels. He asked
for you. Prayed for some
forgiveness before his eyes rolled
back and he moved from this mortal
earth. I believe he was poisoned
struck sick by the drink sold in
town. Red mill’s not a save place
any longer. I hope this letter
finds you well and I hope to see
you soon.
CUT TO:
EXT. RED MILL - NIGHT
A small town.
A row of shops all closed for the night. A few bars sit in
between all have closed down except for one.
This is a town at the pivotal beginning or end of its life.
William walks through the town staring at all the old places
he knows, stopping when he reaches the last open bar "Old
smokey"
He glances around finding only a few people out heading home
before night truly sets on the town.
The cold air slowly seeping into the town.
He enters.
CUT TO:
INT. OLD SMOKEY BAR - NIGHT
The bar has about seven people in it including, William.
No one sits along the bar, all the stools are empty. The
booze is off the shelves hidden beneath the bar.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 4.
Men are at the tables dealing cards and drinking something
out of a tin cans, small mason jars.
Like the old west they stop to stare with curiosity at this
newcomer.
The man dealing cards raises his head, whistles, as if it’s
a sign to alert someone and returns to his game.
SARAH (27) comes out of the kitchen wiping her hands on an
apron. She doesn’t just run the kitchen, she runs old
smokey.
SARAH
You need to get out of here and
tell that preacher, Delvin we aint
closing!
WILLIAM
I’m sorry, I believe you do have me
confused with someone else. I don’t
know any Delvin to speak of.
SARAH
Your not part of that church on the
hill!? Your not one of those God
worshiping wackos!?
William smiles at the beauty of Sarah.
WILLIAM
No, Ma’am, I find it hard to
believe in a God who waits till now
to have us cross paths.
Sarah half blushes catching herself she rolls her eyes
turning away heading behind the empty bar.
SARAH
(walks)
Who are you? I’ve never seen you
around here.
William moves to the bar taking one of the many empty seats
sitting his bag by his feet.
WILLIAM
I was born here believe it or not.
Left when I was eighteen, and never
looked back. Names, William Archer,
and you are?
William holds out a hand to Sarah who looks at it as
something to stay away from.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 5.
She grabs a cup cleaning it out.
SARAH
Well, William what you drinking?
He lowers his hand pretending to clean it off.
WILLIAM
It’s not good manners to turn away
the hand of a friend or say your
name when a patron offers theirs.
Sarah slams down the cup.
SARAH
You listen here! I don’t have time
for you. You either have a reason
to be here or you don’t and you
leave.
WILLIAM
I would take a drink, but judging
by the pale decor and my reflection
in that mirror you lot are out.
Sarah bends down removing a jar from under the bar. In the
jar is a clear liquid. She pours it into his glass.
WILLIAM
You didn’t spit in that did ya?
Sarah gives him a rude look closing the top on the jar
placing it back behind the bar.
SARAH
You going to drink that or be on
your way?
William grabs the glass smelling the moonshine, it’s strong.
He cocks his head back and lets it rip down his throat.
WILLIAM
(tart)
That’s damn good. Best I tasted
this side of the Mississippi, Who
makes this, you?
SARAH
Were not selling recipes here. Just
moonshine. Did you want another?
William reaches in his pocket taking out a few coins laying
them in front of Sarah.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 6.
WILLIAM
Maybe later.
She grabs the cup pulling it away. She reaches for the
coins.
SARAH
Goodnight, then.
WILLIAM
Wait a seconded.
Sarah stops.
WILLIAM
I got a letter from my sister. She
lives here in town. She didn’t put
the address on it, or maybe I
ripped the letter to shreds before
reading it.
William removes the letter looking a little ripped up and
missing a pieces. Looks to maybe even having gotten wet.
WILLIAM
Point being I was hoping somebody
here would know her or my pa.
Sarah shakes her head.
WILLIAM
Don’t shake your head I haven’t
even said her name yet.
The door to the bar opens.
Again people stop and they stare, but this time there is no
whistle.
William is the only one who doesn’t turn around. He is still
holding the letter in his hand with determination.
Sarah, on the other hand runs around the bar grabbing a
shotgun off the wall and pointing it at two men who have
entered.
SARAH
What are you two doing in here!?
You’ve been barred. Anyone who
follows that bastered Devlin -
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 7.
SMITH
Shut up, Dumb dora. Were men of the
law, and Devlin’s going to need to
know about this speakeasy.
SARAH
This isn’t a speakeasy and these
aint blanks in my gun.
The seconded man who has been quite moves past his ally. He
puts a finger through his hair and smirks.
HAMPTON
Every hell starts out looking like
heaven.
Sarah is confused.
Hampton moves close with fear, shotgun between his eyebrows
with hesitation.
HAMPTON
Can you find the muster to pull the
trigger on an unarmed man?
SMITH
What you doing, Hampton!?
HAMPTON
Jesus said "Let him deny himself
and take up his cross and follow
me. For whoever would save his life
will lose it, but whoever loses his
life for my sake will find it"
SMITH
Amen.
HAMPTON
Amen indeed.
Hampton quickly moves pulling the shotgun out of Sarah’s
hand and into his.
HAMPTON
Now, this is one unsightly hell on
earth. All the damned come here to
hide from Gods retribution. Isn’t
that right, Smith?
SMITH
Sounds about right, Hampton. This
place reeks of sin and decay.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 8.
Hampton begins to walk around the room looking at all the
patrons of the bar.
HAMPTON
The town of Redhill, Illions is no
longer going to be a place of sin.
Those worthy of hell shall visit it
sooner or later. Maybe, sooner then
later.
Hampton walks around almost in a circle and as he turns,
William stands up from the bar.
They both stand a mere foot from one another.
SMITH
Hampton!
Hampton doesn’t move, staying nimble and at the ready.
HAMPTON
It’s okay, smith. I don’t believe
we’ve had the good fortune of being
introduced?
WILLIAM
William. You?
HAMPTON
Hampton. From the ministry of
Delvin Sinclair, under the one true
God.
WILLIAM
You seem to be upsetting the lady
here and I’m trying to get to the
bottom of something as well, so if
you and your companion don’t mind.
William gestures to the door.
Hampton finds this cause to chuckle a hearty chuckle.
HAMPTON
Do not tempt me snake. For I am
keen in hand and mind with Gods
love.
SARAH
It’s okay, Stranger just let it go.
William nods. He goes to turn around to take his seat back
and wait his turn.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 9.
WILLIAM
She’s right. I’m new in town. I’ll
wait my turn.
He stops.
His back still to the guys.
WILLIAM
I just remembered, I was here
first.
William turns around quickly grabbing the shotgun from
Hampton.
Hampton won’t let go.
William headbutts him in the face, the gun now in his hands
he points it at Smith.
WILLIAM
I think you two would find it in
your benefit to get the hell out of
here.
Hampton wipes his nose as a few small droplets of blood
flow.
He says nothing, but the look on his face swears revenge.
Smith leads him out tails between their legs.
Sarah storms over to William taking the gun from his hand
and putting it back on the wall.
WILLIAM
A thank you would be fitting or
your name.
SARAH
A thank you!? They work for the
very church trying to shut down
every store or bar they deem
sinful. You just gave em, another
reason to come after us.
William looks to be getting a headache with all this drama
going on.
He waves the letter in his hand.
Sarah comes over taking the letter.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 10.
SARAH
What’s the name!?
WILLIAM
Pardon?
SARAH
Your families name. Your sister?
WILLIAM
Martin.
SARAH
Martin? I thought you said you were
William Archer?
WILLIAM
When I left here I forsake my last
name. Some things are easier to
forget than others.
SARAH
The son of Matthew Martin?
WILLIAM
The one and only. I take it you
know him? A frequent visitor to the
old smokey?
Sarah nods.
SARAH
(sadly)
Yeah, I know him and you’re sister
too.
She looks hesitant.
SARAH
They been in the same house by the
old creek for years.
William looks sadden by this thought.
CUT TO:
EXT. CREEK - NIGHT
The moonlight is shining on the boggy creek. Fog and mist
carry through the night.
William is walking with a lantern finding a house, a small
cottage built near the creek.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 11.
William hesitates before making the walk up the creek. Each
step he takes is a heavy one.
CUT TO:
Moment’s later.
William reaches the front door.
He spits in his hand pushing it through his hair.
A light inside barley can be seen out. The drapes doing
their jobs well.
He knocks twice and waits. He hears nothing. He knocks
again.
WILLIAM
Ellie!? Ellie it’s me, William.
A sudden movement inside perks him up. He stands tall
waiting for the door to open.
Suddenly,...
Ellie (21) hand slaps William across the face.
ELLIE
How dare you show up now!
Ellie turns around heading inside.
William just standing there confused.
WILLIAM
I got your letter was I wrong in
thinking you wanted me here?
ELLIE
Well, Come in you letting all the
heat out gosh darn it.
William enters shutting the door behind him.
INT. ELLIE’S HOUSE - NIGHT
Ellie’s house is more of a shack.
Three rooms, barley big enough to be called that. The home
is falling apart, wasting away with time. The living room
and kitchen are almost in the same space together.
In the corner of the room is a small bed.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 12.
ELLIE
It’s been a while.
Ellie pulls out a chair gesturing for William to take a
seat.
He declines rubbing his hurt cheek.
WILLIAM
Where’s dad?
ELLIE
(gestures)
On ice.
William glances behind himself to the window, his father
keeping cool in the creek.
WILLIAM
You said he was poisoned?
ELLIE
He had started drinking after you
left. He already did, but, after
you were gone it became an everyday
occurrence. Most nights he didn’t
come home, and when he did he’d
come in late, almost morning time
and pass out where you’re standing.
As time went on I got wise, I made
that cot for him. He always found
his way home after all awhile.
Except that night. He was so drunk
he passed out before he made it to
the house.
(croaking)
I woke up finding him, face in the
dirt, with crows pecking at his
feet.
WILLIAM
You got me riled up because he
drunk himself to death!?
Ellie shakes her head sadly.
ELLIE
You been through town have you seen
this place?
WILLIAM
Looks like hell. Ran into two men
when I stopped at a bar before
coming up here.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 13.
ELLIE
That church is trying to turn our
town into something God can be
proud of. More people have died
from alcohol in the past few months
than anything.
WILLIAM
Causing the bars to close and
people to be scared?
ELLIE
The only people worth buying it
from is the Dallas boys. They’ve
been running moonshine to anyone
wants it. Even straight up to
Chicago.
WILLIAM
You telling me you think it’s those
boys up at that church? This
Hampton fella?
Ellie nods: "Yes"
William lays his bag down looking around the room.
ELLIE
I’m sorry for writing you. I just
thought you should know daddy was
dead. I guess I wanted to see you
too.
WILLIAM
I’m sorry I stayed gone so long.
It’s just once I was out I kept
going. I didn’t look back till I
reached the state line and crossed
it without a seconded thought.
Ellie stands up hugging William and he her. For a moment
they stand there in silence.
ELLIE
I’m glad you’re back. It’s been
hard here. Do you think you’ll
stay?
William doesn’t answer.
ELLIE
You leaving after the funeral or
you staying a while?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 14.
They part and she takes a seat.
WILLIAM
If what your sayings true. I at
least owe him to check it out.
After all that Hampton guy was
pretty angry with me last we met.
Ellie chuckles hand over her mouth.
ELLIE
What am I going to do with you? In
town ten minutes and already up to
your old games.
WILLIAM
What can I say? Old habits.
ELLIE
Why don’t you take your old bedroom
get some rest. I’m sure you need it
traveling all that way.
WILLIAM
No, I’m okay. You go get some rest.
I’m not sleepy yet. But, When the
feeling does hit that bed there
seems about as fitting as a bed as
I deserve.
Ellie smiles standing kissing William on the cheek. She
moves into the room closing the door behind her.
William stares around the room. He moves to a small box in
the corner.
These are his fathers things. A few scattered objects
nothing important, until he notices a pocket watch. Gold
finely made having been handed down in the Martin family.
WILLIAM
(to himself)
He kept it?
He puts it in his pocket.
A photo of him, his dad and his sister a few weeks before he
left. All smiling at the front of the house. He places it
into an inner pocket.
William moves through the house as silence befalls it. He
moves through the hall.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 15.
The doors to the two rooms are open. He stops finding his
room on the right, across from his sisters.
At the door.
WILLIAM ARCHER
(himself)
Somethings never change.
He looks around the room with his eyes. Wood carved into
shapes and guns.
His bed is made and his room cleaner than he remembers it
being.
ELLIE
He kept it clean for you. Wouldn’t
let anyone in it.
William looks back, Ellie is at her door watching him.
ELLIE
He missed you, you know. He blamed
himself for you leaving. It was
hard on him too after ma died. It
was hard on me.
WILLIAM
I know. I’m sorry. You were to
young to take with me and I was to
young to care. I was to stupid to
understand what running away meant.
ELLIE
What did it mean?
WILLIAM
Never seeing you again. Never
getting to say goodbye to pa.
Forgetting who I was and where I
came from.
ELLIE
Is that going to help you remember?
Ellie gestures to the gun in William’s belt.
WILLIAM
I think it’s a start. Pa, deserves
justice.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 16.
ELLIE
Revenge isn’t justice, William.
He turns away from her staring back at his room.
ELLIE
Where you going to start? I’m not
even sure it’s the church. It just
might be Hampton and those boys.
WILLIAM
I’ll go have a chat with the Dallas
boys, their names keep popping up.
If anyone knows about poison, I
reckon its them.
Ellie nods slowly backing into her room, the door shutting.
William moves out of the room heading back into the living
room. He stops staring to the window and out to the creek,
the old boggy creek.
CUT TO:
EXT. CREEK - NIGHT
William moves along the shore seeing a post, a rope is tied
around it with his father tied to the other end.
He bends down with his lantern shining on the water he can
make out his father’s face floating just above the rim.
WILLIAM
You crazy old man. Knew you would
find it either at the end of a gun
or at the end of a glass. I guess
it’s better to go out without
seeing the bullet that kills you.
William takes a seat watching his father floating in the
water.
WILLIAM CONTINUED
When I left you still were working
in the mine, talking about changing
things in this town for the better.
How it was a new life for us. I
gave up on that and I’m sorry. You
told me to give it some time and I
ran away like a coward. I’m going
to make it up to you, Make it up to
Ellie.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 17.
The body just sits there without word, he didn’t expect a
reply.
Williams hand moves over his mouth as the realization his
father is dead hits him.
WILLIAM
I’m sorry. I know what I said. I
know what I did. I,... should of
been a better son.
A beat.
He eyes his father just floating for a moment.
William clears his throat standing and wiping his eyes. He
takes a breath.
WILLIAM
I’m going to find whomever did this
to you.
CUT TO:
EXT. DALLAS COTTAGE - NIGHT
The night sky is dazzled by dozens and dozens of stars and
far off galaxies.
William is sitting 15 feet from the Dallas boys Cottage.
A knife in his hand he sits whittling. His revolver not far
from him.
WILLIAM
(humming)
The whistler river. The drying
shore. The pistol silver evermore.
Who ye be? who ye see? Danger,
danger is all around me.
We PAN in a circle around William as all the lights of the
Dallas cottage seems to be off.
Two old fords sit in the drive way. One able and ready, the
other motor sitting next to it, waiting to be rebuilt or
fixed by one of the Dallas boys.
Williams humming continues.
CUT TO:
18.
INT. OLD SMOKEY BAR - NIGHT
Sarah closing up the bar pushing the last patron out.
SARAH
Goodnight, Jimmy.
She closes the door behind him.
Williams humming seeps through the scenes.
JIMMY
(chuckling)
Night, Sarah. See you in the morn!
EXT. ROAD - NIGHT
Jimmy stumbles out of the old smokey bar.
He moves with a wobble, a discontent for the way of a
straight lane finding zig zags to be more his style.
He turns around with a disgusted face ignoring a man to
covered in the darkness of the night to see clearly.
Jimmy falls over his feet toppling each other. He is
struggling to pick himself up.
Suddenly,...
Jimmy is grabbed. Pulled down with liquor falling over his
face.
HAMPTON
(muffled)
Enjoy, deliverance.
Jimmy choking, coughing.
The man runs away into the darkness letting, Jimmy return to
picking himself up. He rises stumbling onwards.
JIMMY
(coughing)
Better, better run off. You, bums!
WILLIAM ARCHER (VO)
Pistol held and aim kept high. Many
enemies shall die. The whistler
river turns and pours. The silver
dagger is no more. Who ye be? who
ye see? Sin and wrought, just let
me be.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 19.
Jimmy falls over, he begins to seizure. He begins to frail
and wither in mind and body.
WILLIAM ARCHER (VO)
The whistler river. The drying
shore. The pistol silver evermore.
Who ye be? who ye see? Danger,
danger is all around me.
BLACK:
EXT. DALLAS COTTAGE - NIGHT
Through the darkness we pass through by a tree.
William has fallen asleep where he sat. His determination
had waned during the course of a few hours.
A man walks over to him out of the darkness. He is holding a
shotgun over his left shoulder. He has a limp in his step,
but that wouldn’t seem to hold him back.
JOE DALLAS
I reckon your a’ waiting for me?
Joe bends down seeing the knife in hand and the piece of
wood half whittled into a little girl.
Joe takes the head of his gun using it to poke, William
awake.
William jumps up grabbing at his gun, but the shotgun now
aimed at his balls is a different story.
WILLIAM
You one of the Dallas boys!?
JOE DALLAS
I think it’s routine for the man
holding the gun to the balls of
another finds he gets to ask
questions first.
Joe glances to the house still quite.
JOE DALLAS
Now, what you need with them boys?
WILLIAM
That’s my own business. Balls or
not.
Joe finds this amusing giving a chuckle, just one.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 20.
JOE DALLAS
Your brave. Worthy, but at this
junction pointless. As of right
now, the truth would be wise to
tell.
He pushes the gun harder into William’s groin.
JOE DALLAS
You the same boy who stopped them
church runners from tearing up old
smokey?
WILLIAM
I also try to get that dames name.
JOE DALLAS
She’s a tough one. She’s a good
judge of character too, sometimes.
I’m Joe Dallas.
Joe pulls the shotgun away from William.
JOE DALLAS
Dust yourself and come inside.
Better to talk about why you
sitting in my yard with a gun than
out here.
Joe gets up and walks away.
William getting up grabbing his things following right
behind.
CUT TO:
INT. DALLAS HOME - NIGHT
Inside the home is large. It has an upstairs. Rugs in
certain rooms. There is a certain civilized make to the
home.
William follows Joe into the living room where a fireplace,
burns away the cold night.
Where several comfy rocking chairs and a table sit neatly
placed.
JOE DALLAS
Take a seat. I’ll get us something
to drink.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 21.
William glances around the room. A few pictures on the wall
nothing to amazing. Except for one.
A man in suspenders lifting a giant log with a hearty smile.
William seems drawn to this one.
HARVEY (OS)
Who you pretended to be?
William turns finding, HARVEY (17) standing in the door way.
Bright looking boy, with nice slicked back hair and a smile
that could probably charm him through any grease spot.
WILLIAM
A good person at this seconded, but
things are liable to change.
HARVEY
I reckon we all are.
Harvey takes a few steps forward holding out a hand for
William to shake.
HARVEY
Harvey, Harvey, Dallas. You new in
town?
They shake hands and part.
WILLIAM
I was raised here, you could say
this is me coming back. I’m
William.
HARVEY
My sister was talking about you. Be
careful she is a wild one.
Dangerous. She once kicked a guy in
the balls for telling her he liked
her hair.
Harvey makes a motion of kicking and a pained face.
HARVEY
Couldn’t walk right for a week they
say.
William is a bit confused, but before he can ask. Harvey
pats him on the shoulder and leaves the room.
WILLIAM
New’s travels fast in this town.
William takes a seat.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 22.
Joe returns with two cans filled with moonshine taking a
seat quick to notice Williams wondering eyes.
JOE DALLAS
Our dad built this house. Room by
room. He did it for our momma.
WILLIAM
It’s too cozy for your character I
would say.
JOE DALLAS
And you would be right at first
glance. This house is our
sanctuary. We eat meals, we laugh,
we are a family here. No, wildness
is allowed to come through those
doors.
Joe swigs back on moonshine like its going out of style. Joe
hands William his not drinking.
JOE DALLAS
Our daddy made it as an after
thought for our momma after she
passed. Said he would finish it.
Always told her, but never did.
Took her death to make this house
stand.
Joe taps his fist against the wall. He looks to William who
is smiling, but not sipping.
WILLIAM ARCHER
My daddy did something of the same
sort. His ambition of building it
disappeared after a couple days
though, left me to finish it and
take care of my sister.
Joe takes another swig of his moonshine looking over William
for a moment before leaning back.
JOE DALLAS
Why you here? And why haven’t you
sampled the famous Dallas brother
moonshine. I’m I to assume one is
cause for the other?
William seems to grow anxious in his chair. His hand through
his hair before speaking.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 23.
WILLIAM
I’m here because my father died. He
had the misfortune of becoming a
drinker and falling ill to some
moonshine a week or so back.
JOE DALLAS
You think that illness falls upon
my head?
WILLIAM
Does it?
Joe tightens his hold on his moonshine jar.
JOE DALLAS
You something else, aint ya!?
invite you in, tell you stories. I
treat you -
WILLIAM
I don’t care how you treated me.
I’m looking for answers. All the
speakeasy’s in town have closed
down. That poor girl bout got run
out tonight and your family seems
to keep making money.
Joe doesn’t seem impressed by the allegation. In fact his
fist seem to tense up.
JOE DALLAS
If you hadn’t helped out my sister
tonight, Your head would be sitting
in that fire place for the way your
talking to me.
(leans in)
Our shine is the best damn stuff in
all Illions. For you to say we
killing folks. You best place blame
where it belongs.
WILLIAM
Where’s that? With that church? I
find it hard to believe a church is
going round killing folks cause
they drink.
JOE DALLAS
You best believe. Church’s have
killed for less. And this sin, just
happens to be against the law as
well. Gives more strength to their
cause.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 24.
WILLIAM ARCHER
You’re telling me, a priest is
killing those he deems sinful?
JOE DALLAS
Not just any old priest, he’s the
brother of a law man. His family
wants to rebuild this town into a
heaven of sorts.
WILLIAM ARCHER
It’s this one that girl at old
smokey told me about, Delvin?
SARAH (OS)
Pastor Delvin Sinclair.
Sarah is leaning under the archway arms folded. She looks
tired.
SARAH
Joe.
Joe looks to her with fierce eyes.
SARAH
They got Jimmy. Officers out their
now, that’s why I’m here so late.
Joe turns away.
WILLIAM
What happened?
SARAH
Joe!
JOE DALLAS
(angry)
God dammit, woman! Can’t you see I
was getting up? William you stay
here will finish this when I
return.
Joe grabs his shotgun and heads out the front door. William
stands up ready to go after him.
Sarah moves into the room arms still crossed as if they
would protect her from anything.
SARAH
What you going to do? Take out your
gun and follow like a cowboy?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 25.
WILLIAM
Not yet. Not, until I find out what
the hell is happening in this town?
SARAH
3 years ago that church was built
and like an angel fallen. Devlin
the sheriffs brother comes in with
a new creed. Government is law
along with the bible. He slowly
gathered like minded people to fall
in line, but we always ran
moonshine. We always will. As long
as the people want it.
WILLIAM
He’s been making it harder to get
the moonshine out?
SARAH
Seems that way. Seems the church
can do anything it sets its mind
to. As you saw coming in. They
think they run this town.
Both Sarah and William take a seat.
WILLIAM
What’s Joe think he can do about
it. Going out there alone.
Sarah sits in the seat where Joe was sitting. She is a tad
hesitant.
SARAH
Your daddy came to the old smokey a
lot. So did others, but when they
leave after having a few drinks the
next day their found dead or like
jimmy a few hours after. Joe brings
the bodies to the loved ones before
the church can hoot and hollar
praises for the death.
WILLIAM
The church is doing this. They
poisoned my daddy?
SARAH
You have to realize by now it
wasn’t us. It has to be Delvin, one
of his people. Those two you met
earlier.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 26.
WILLIAM
Hampton.
Sarah nods. "Yes"
William licks his lips upset. She sees it all over his face.
SARAH
Are you going to kill them?
WILLIAM
When I was younger these boys would
pick on this colored girl. I took a
liking to her. I walked her home
when her daddy was too drunk. When
she needed someone there.
William seems to chuckle thinking about it.
SARAH
What happened to her?
WILLIAM
She didn’t show up for school one
day. They had beaten that poor girl
almost to death.
INSTERT:
Little Rosy. In a flower dress. Her face is horror
surrounded by a bunch of 12 year old boys.
WILLIAM
I found out who they were and never
again did they touch her. So when
you ask me, If I’m going to kill
them. I have to say, yes. I’m going
to kill them all.
The sound of a car pulling to the house grabs their
attention.
Sarah stands up.
SARAH
My brother’s here.
WILLIAM
How many brothers do you have?
SARAH
Just the three. Harvey, Joe, and
Robert.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 27.
The door swings open to the house. Robert (40) comes in with
a pretty lady on his arm.
Vivian (29) is drunk and barely able to walk.
Robert stops looking to Sarah and William.
ROBERT
Who the hell is this!? where’s Joe?
Where’s my brother!?
SARAH
They killed Jimmy. He went up to
old Smokey take his body back to
his family.
ROBERT
Great!
Robert moves Vivian away.
ROBERT
Go upstairs and wait for me baby.
He taps her on the butt as she almost falls taking one step
up the stairs every few seconds.
ROBERT
You let him go alone!?
Robert moves to a dresser removing brass knuckles putting
them into his pocket.
SARAH
You know Joe.
ROBERT
I’m going to get Joe. You, Come
with me. Watch the house, Sarah!
William removes his gun from his belt and follows Robert out
of the house.
CUT TO:
INT. CAR - NIGHT
They are in the car driving quickly through the tree ridden
path.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 28.
WILLIAM
Would they really hurt him!?
ROBERT
Their animals. You sure you can
handle that cannon your holding.
WILLIAM
Don’t worry about me. I can handle
my own.
Robert smirks as the road becomes bumpy.
ROBERT
Nothing like a good beating to
start the night right.
Robert shakes his head several times trying to throw off the
last bit of drunkenness he has on him as if it would slide
from his skin.
WILLIAM
You going to be all right?
ROBERT
I’m a Dallas boy, this what we live
for!
CUT TO:
EXT. TOWN - NIGHT
Several people are huddled around Joe. Hampton stands back
with his arms crossed with a smug smile across his face.
MAN
Get out of our town! You killed
him! Your devil liquid did this!
You killed him.
WOMAN
Killer!
Joe has Jimmy in his arms picking him up. He holds him
tight, as people spit and throw things at him.
A bottle flies through the air hitting Joe square in the
head.
Joe falls to his knees keeping Jimmy in his hands, keeping
his grip tight on him.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 29.
JOE DALLAS
Is that the best you got!?
The crowd yell and cheer.
HAMPTON
Let him be!
Everyone backs up; some of them wanting to yell more at Joe,
to throw more things at him.
Hampton walks through the crowd up to Joe who is on his
knees.
HAMPTON
Do you see the power of the
almighty? Moonshine is no longer
welcome in Redmill.
Sherrif Donald Q walks up next to Hampton.
DONALD Q
Finish this, please, So I can take
him to county.
JOE DALLAS
Get down here and take me yourself!
DONALD Q
Maybe he would be better found in a
ditch, or a creek somewhere.
Donald spits on the ground sneering at Joe the entire time.
HAMPTON
This is the beginning of the end
for you, Joe Dallas. You and your
family are evil. If this town is
sin then your family our the devils
spawns.
Joe smiles Hampton is close enough to him. He slames his
head against Hamptons busting his nose.
JOE DALLAS
Sorry, there Donald I slipped.
Hampton holds on to his nose.
HAMPTON
Some justice must sink in to these
Godforsaken followers of Satan!
The people cheering.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 30.
Hampton makes a fist punching Joe in the face.
HAMPTON
And we strike down upon them with
furious vengeance in hopes that,
God, shines a light in their eyes!
The people clap.
JOE DALLAS
Go to hell like your sister and
mother!
Hampton’s face turns upside down. He grabs a pipe from
Donald and he swings it hard at Joe’s face.
BLACK:
INT. CAR - NIGHT
William and Robert are racing to the town. The car slows as
they enter.
The people are gone. Joe lays on the ground with no jimmy in
sight.
Robert and William hurry from the car. Joe is laying on the
ground.
ROBERT
Joe! Joe!
Robert runs to his brothers side, his head is covered in
blood. He is unconscious.
WILLIAM ARCHER
Is he breathing!?
ROBERT
I don’t know. I don’t know!
William runs over picking Joe up a bit and checking his
heart.
WILLIAM
He’s breathing, but we need to get
him to a docs.
Robert nods.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 31.
WILLIAM
Help me.
Robert and William pick up Joe and move him to the back of
the truck.
ROBERT
DAMMIT!
Robert yells out.
Robert gets in the drivers seat and William stays in back
with Joe.
WILLIAM
Hurry up!
The car turns hastily driving off.
Robert swearing obscenities as he drives.
CUT TO:
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - AFTERNOON
Joe has his eyes closed. He has a bandage around his head
and the doc is looking over him.
Sarah is sitting by his bedside. She is looking worried.
Robert, William and Harvey come in the room.
ROBERT
How is he?
Dr. Weston (55) shakes his head.
DR. WESTON
The swelling is slowly going down.
I’ve done what I can. He wakes up
every so often. I got him on some
meds best I can do. He should pull
through.
Dr. Weston nods sees the family want to be alone, he heads
out of the room.
A beat.
Sarah looks to William.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 32.
SARAH
(angry)
Do you see!? That church is after
us, ruining this town and the
people. Something has to be done.
William nods looking to Joe who begins to move.
HARVEY
He’s moving.
JOE
What the hell you doing here?
SARAH
You need looking after.
JOE
Not while there is shine to be made
and sold.
They chuckle.
ROBERT
You were just beaten half to death,
Joe. The moonshine can wait.
JOE
No, it won’t. I’m fine. You heard
the doctor. You two get out there.
We meeting those Chicago boys
Friday and they want their shine.
HARVEY
You sure, you okay, Joe? You look
like fat Bertha sat on your face.
JOE DALLAS
(chuckling)
It feels like it.
Joe gestures Harvey over hugging him.
JOE
Now, get on. You make sure, Robert
don’t bring no girls out while you
making it either.
ROBERT
I’m still hung dry for that girl
last night.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 33.
HARVEY
Not, me. Somehow she found her way
to my room. A Dallas boy is a
Dallas boy after all, seemed to
make no difference to her.
Robert smacks Harvey over the head playfully.
JOE
It’s fine, go.
Robert and Harvey leave. Sarah and William stare to Joe.
JOE
We never did get to finish our
conversation.
WILLIAM
That’s all right, I believe I found
what I was looking for.
JOE
You about to rage bloody war
against that church, you going need
more than six bullets.
SARAH
Joe?
Joe looks to Sarah and back to William.
WILLIAM ARCHER
What did you have mind?
JOE DALLAS
We meeting these Chicago boys on
Friday. Moonshine is hard to get
every where. Places are closing
down, by law and church. So, join
us.
WILLIAM ARCHER
What? Be a Dallas boy?
JOE DALLAS
It’s better to prove to these
people that we are greater than
their rules. That we can’t be beat.
And when they lose their hope,
that’s when we attack.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 34.
SARAH
I thought you said no fighting,
Joe.
JOE DALLAS
They brought this on themselves,
Sarah. They pried Jimmy from my
hands. They spit at me and hit me.
Some evils are meant to survive,
but not this one.
William shakes his head unsure.
WILLIAM ARCHER
I don’t know.
JOE DALLAS
Think about it. The minute that
church sees you hanging round us,
round her.
Gestures to Sarah who turns away almost blushing.
JOE DALLAS CONTINUED
They going to think you with us
even if you not. I reckon you’d
rather work with the good guys.
William nods in agreement.
Dr. Weston knocks on the door.
DR. WESTON
Joe, you have a visitor. I told
them to go, but he wants to speak
with you.
JOE
Who might that be?
DR. WESTON
(uneasy)
Pastor Delvin.
William looks confused to Sarah and to Joe.
JOE
Let him in.
Joe winces as the pain from his head hits him, but he
strives forwards sitting up in his bed.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 35.
Delvin comes in dressed nicely. He is alone. He moves into
the room with his head held high. He looks to both Sarah and
William.
DELVIN SINCLAIR
I was hoping for a more private
chat, if you don’t mind.
Joe looks to Sarah and William nodding.
Both get up and leave the room hearing Delvin begin his
words.
DELVIN SINCLAIR
I came as soon as I heard. It’s a
shame. I honestly say it.
CUT TO:
INT. WAITING ROOM - AFTERNOON
William is pacing back and forth. Sarah is sitting.
SARAH
What’s wrong with you?
WILLIAM
With me? These people are what’s
wrong with me. He has the stones to
have people hurt and then he comes
to them like a person of faith.
SARAH
He pretends they don’t do it for
him. He pretends he is righteous
and such acts are below him. How do
you become a God to people if they
can see your bad deeds?
WILLIAM
By hiding them.
SARAH
By letting others do them for you.
You’ve been to Chicago, this is
just a different mob.
WILLIAM
Maybe I should join your brother.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 36.
SARAH
Is that what you want?
WILLIAM
I don’t know what I want. I came
here looking for revenge. Instead,
I find moonshine and God.
SARAH
My dad use to say, "We never find
what were looking for, just what we
need,"
William takes the words in.
WILLIAM
You know you still have introduced
yourself to me, yet.
Sarah shakes her head in disbelief.
SARAH
That’s what you got from my fathers
words?
WILLIAM
Better than nothing, right?
Suddenly,...
Devlin comes out of the room with a hearty chuckle.
DELVIN SINCLAIR
That brother of your’s. He is an
Honest one. My condolence’s on what
happened. I hope to see you all in
an two hours for church.
Delvin half bows leaving.
William looks to be in thought.
WILLIAM
Tell, Joe. I’m in. We make them
lose hope and we cut off the head
of the snake.
SARAH
What are you going to do, William?
William doesn’t answer.
CUT TO:
37.
EXT. STREET - AFTERNOON
Delvin is getting in his car, Hampton is the driver. William
rushes outside, Delvin catches this turning to face him.
DELVIN SINCLAIR
Can I help you, Son?
William doesn’t answer he smirks searching for the right
words to say to Delvin.
Hampton comes over, but Delvin backs him off.
HAMPTON
I believe the devil has his tongue,
Father.
DELVIN SINCLAIR
Does it? or is what I hear true?
You’re best at running? It’s okay.
Many a men have faced great evil
and ran with their tail between
their legs. Only those worthy have
stood to fight.
Delvin moves close to William.
DELVIN SINCLAIR
I can see you shivering. I have god
on my side who do you have?
Delvin leans back, but William says nothing to him.
HAMPTON
Nothing?
DELVIN SINCLAIR
You know your daddy was a runner
too. Came to me crying. That’s
right, I know who you are, William
Martin.
William tries to keep calm, but begins to show strain.
DELVIN SINCLAIR
Daddy, came to me. "My son, pray
for my son. He’s be gone so long.
He run off." Everyday, this was
your daddies words. Tell me, have
you seen your daddy lately?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 38.
WILLIAM ARCHER
I’m coming after you.
Delvin nods heading into the car, he pretends to tip a hat
to William who just watches him. His fist clenched the
entire time.
DELVIN SINCLAIR
You can’t touch me. I’ve got God in
my corner. Who do you have?
The door shuts and Delvin drives away, his car disappearing
with the curved road.
CUT TO:
INT. DALLAS HOME - AFTERNOON
William rushes into the house. Harvey is in the hallway
holding a tray of empty mason jars.
HARVEY
William, what the hell you doing
here?
WILLIAM
I’m going to help you make
moonshine.
HARVEY
Is that coming from, Joe? Cause if
not he be real upset -
WILLIAM
Joe, told me. I was also wondering
If I could get a jar or two.
HARVEY
Follow me.
Harvey leads William out of the house.
HARVEY
(trailing)
What do you need a few jars for?
WILLIAM
I’ll explain on the way.
CUT TO:
39.
EXT. FOREST - AFTERNOON
William and Harvey are walking through the forest, trees and
uneven ground ahead of them.
HARVEY
Ever since it’s become illgal,
we’ve been making it out here. We
had a deal with a few local
officers, but that turned over once
Delvin became prohibition king.
WILLIAM
Is it hard to make?
HARVEY
You really don’t know nothing do
you? What you been doing this whole
time living under a rock?
WILLIAM
Joined the army. Almost got shot.
Went to New york. Been traveling
longer than I should have.
HARVEY
Is New York as amazing as they say?
WILLIAM
It’s better. Buildings as far as
the eyes can see. People packed in.
Beautiful woman all around. It’s a
paradise.
Harvey seems glad to hear to these words.
HARVEY
Sounds better than I imagined.
Look, Making Moonshine is easy.
It’s like making anything. Just
have to get the ingredients right,
and cook it till its done. It’s
more about waiting than anything.
William almost trips over a few branches seeing a large
shack ahead of them.
WILLIAM
I reckon it sounds easy enough.
HARVEY
Robert will show you how it’s done.
I’m sure you’ll get the idea or
Robert will beat it into you.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 40.
WILLIAM
Beat it into me?
William stops as the thought crosses his mind.
WILLIAM
Not really, right?
Harvey heads on chuckling.
HARVEY
come on, New York.
INT. SHACK - AFTERNOON
Smoke rises out of the shack. Several tubes and metal
containers emit heat. A tube leading to jug drops a droplit
of liquid every seconded.
Robert is inside putting bottles together.
ROBERT
What the hell is he doing here?
HARVEY
He’s with us now.
ROBERT
Joe?
HARVEY
Joe.
Robert rolls his eyes, picking up several trays of jars
filled with moonshine.
He huffs handing them to William.
ROBERT
Take all these and put them on the
truck. Can you do that?
WILLIAM
Put em where?
ROBERT
Very funny.
William grabs them putting each one on the back of the
truck.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 41.
HARVEY
He’ll give you a hard time or two
and soon he’ll be your buddy. He’s
like that with everyone.
WILLIAM
How does this work?
HARVEY
We use corn meal, some syrup, yeast
and water. Sometimes, Joe likes to
use grain give it a different
taste. We age it in them tubs and
knock them in the jars to be sold.
CUT TO:
Close on:
The tubes, the tubs, the jars. Everything they need to make
the moonshine there and waiting.
Liquid dripping distilled liquor into a jug.
Robert grabs a mason jar filled with moonshine handing it to
William.
ROBERT DALLAS
Before you can help us make it, you
need to taste it. Just a sip, we
don’t need you falling off your
ass.
William takes the jar. He smells it. A strong whiff.
WILLIAM
That smells strong.
ROBERT
Take off your dress and drink.
William takes a breath before taking a sip of the moonshine.
WILLIAM
(breath)
That’s good, dam good. I can see
why you all are in business.
Robert pats his back chuckling.
HARVEY
Gee, Robert, I think that boy there
likes it.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 42.
ROBERT
Harvey, I think we have ourselves a
moonshiner!
CUT TO:
INT. ELLIE’S HOUSE - AFTERNOON
Ellie is inside at the fireplace making soup in a large pot.
she is stirring the soup when a knock hits her door.
ELLIE
William is that you? I’ve been
making us some supper. I knows you
got to be hungry.
She opens the door,...
CHARLIE (OS)
Wasn’t who you were expecting?
CHARLIE (22) His face is covered in dirt. He has tried to
clean himself off, but the work of the day still lingers on
him.
ELLIE
I thought my daddy told you not to
come round here no more.
CHARLIE
Well, See as I figure it, and you
have my condolences, but he is no
longer of this earth.
Ellie finds this sweet.
ELLIE
Charlie hobbs, you are a devil.
CHARLIE
And you are an Angel. I said it.
First time I saw you. I told my pa,
I’m going to marry an angel named
Ellie Martin.
Ellie plays with her hair and moves her feet like a little
girl.
ELLIE
Mr. Hobbs you do know how to make a
girl smile.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 43.
CHARLIE
Well, I was hoping, if you would be
so inclined to have supper with me
tonight and my family.
Ellie looks back at the soup on the stove.
ELLIE
I’d love too really I would! But,
my brother William just got into
town. I wanted to fix him a nice
home cooked meal.
Charlie nods with defeat.
CHARLIE
Another time then.
Charlie backs away with a sad smile. Ellie can read his
disappointment. She tries to think of something,...
ELLIE
Why don’t you if you want, have
dinner with me and my brother.
Charlie stops.
CHARLIE
I’d love to. Do you think he would
mind?
ELLIE
No. I’m sure he would love the
company.
Charlie smiles widely backing up once more.
CHARLIE
I’m going to go home and get shined
up. Fix my hair and such.
ELLIE
I’ll be waiting, Charlie Hobbs.
Charlie turns around almost tripping over a rock catching
himself.
Ellie just a smiling.
CUT TO:
44.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - AFTERNOON
Joe alone in his room. He stands up out of the bed, he moves
to a mirror near the left wall.
JOE
I look like hell.
Joe’s eye is black and swelled. His head still bandaged. He
smiles at his reflection.
A knock.
Harvey is standing there.
JOE DALLAS
You don’t look like you’re making
shine.
HARVEY
Neither do you.
Joe turns around and sits on the bed.
JOE
What you doing here, Harvey?
Harvey comes in the room fully, taking a nearby chair and
sitting down.
HARVEY
I wanted to talk to you.
JOE
Well, talk.
Harvey seems nervous, he is hesitant.
HARVEY
I can’t take this anymore. I want a
normal life, and I’ve been thinking
about it a while now. I’m thinking
of leaving.
JOE
Leaving!? You aint leaving.
Harvey is a little taken aback by these words.
HARVEY
I’m a man now, you can’t tell me
what to do!
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 45.
JOE
Oh, will see about that.
Harvey sees the intense look on Joe’s face.
HARVEY
Wait, Joe! This town hates us.
Moonshining aint a business to be
in. Maybe were an old horse that
needs to be put out to pasture.
JOE
You listen here. Were family in
case you forgot!
HARVEY
Me leaving isn’t changing that
fact.
JOE
I swore to ma, I would keep this
family together. And I dam well,
will!
Harvey shakes his head, No:
JOE
Things are tough here, I know it.
Give us some time, rules change,
people change.
HARVEY
This isn’t a life I want to live. I
should have a girl now. I should be
building a house and something for
my family, my own family. Instead,
I’m making moonshine, dealing with
drunk girls Robert brings home.
JOE
You’re a child. You don’t know what
you want.
HARVEY
I’m not leaving, not yet. I’ll stay
until I raise enough money to go.
JOE
I just won’t pay you than.
Harvey stands up.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 46.
HARVEY
You can’t keep us together by
holding us down. It’s like you aint
listening to a word I say.
JOE
Shut up. Bring the car around, I’m
going home.
Joe stands up removing his bandage from his head.
HARVEY
Did the doc say you were all right?
JOE
Tip top. See!?
Joe holds open his arms with a smirk.
JOE
Now, go get the car!
Harvey leaves the room with Joe shaking his head in
disappointment.
INT. CHURCH - AFTERNOON
William enters the church ignoring the turning heads of the
congregation.
Delvin is on stage seeing William he continues his sermon
giving William a nod of recognition.
DELVIN SINCLAIR
We now will give ourselves to God.
Take this bread.
A small plate of bread is being passed around the
congregation with bread on it, which people are taking a
small piece and putting it in on their tongue.
CUT TO:
EXT. FOREST - AFTERNOON
William and Harvey walking.
HARVEY
What you need a few jars for?
William stops.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 47.
WILLIAM
Today, Delvin invited us to church.
I reckon, we show up.
HARVEY
I don’t think, Joe, will care for
that idea. So, what’s the moonshine
for?
WILLIAM
Thinking of giving the church
something to, scream about.
CUT TO:
INT. CHURCH - AFTERNOON
William smiling.
DELVIN SINCLAIR
This bread is the body of God. Take
it and place it on your tongue.
People putting it on their tongue.
Delvin nods as several small cups are passed around with
liquid in them.
DELVIN SINCLAIR
Now take this. In this is the blood
of Jesus. And with it we become a
part of him. Joined by faith. A
promise to be worthy of his love
forever and always.
The cups are passed out.
DELVIN SINCLAIR
Raise your glasses, now drink the
blood of Christ our Lord and
Savior.
The cups are raised. Delvin raises his cup, but a smell
stops him. He takes his goblet close to his nose.
William watches with a smirk all over his face.
The people lift the cups and drink.
DELVIN SINCLAIR
No! stop!
Everyone coughs and spits.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 48.
WILLIAM
Sinners will sin, Delvin!
William bows as Delvin’s face grows red, knocking his goblet
off the podium.
William turns around heading outside.
EXT. OUTSIDE CHURCH - AFTERNOON
William comes out and begins to walk when Delvin and Hampton
run outside.
DELVIN SINCLAIR
Demon! heathen!
William turns around his smile unflinching.
WILLIAM
You wreck people’s lives, you
should expect the same ten fold in
return.
DELVIN SINCLAIR
By God’s judgement I hope he
strikes you down! Heathen! Darkness
bringer!
WILLIAM
I guess were all sinners now. That
blood of Christ was the finest
moonshine this far the Mississippi.
DELVIN SINCLAIR
You are the devil, boy.
WILLIAM
You’re a sinner now just like me.
How did that taste going down.
Second cup his always the best, I
think.
Delvin says nothing, his face burns red. Even Hampton is
looking at him.
Delvin rushes at William punching him, yelling at him.
DELVIN SINCLAIR
I’m not a sinner! Heathen! I am an
Apostle of his word! Gods gift!
A punch at William on the floor hitting his face again and
again.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 49.
People begin to come out of the church watching Delvin
beating William to a pulp.
HAMPTON
Delvin,...
DELVIN SINCLAIR
How dare you! How dare you!
Another punch and Delvin is pulled off William by Hampton.
HAMPTON
Delvin!
Hampton stops standing and looking around as his flock is
now standing around him. His hair untidy.
He takes a breath fixing his hair.
He spots all of the Dallas boys standing and watching him
beating William.
DELVIN SINCLAIR
forgive me! This, this follower of
sin, he,... Tempted me with words
and actions of evil and I had no
choice.
William stands up giving out a chuckle.
DELVIN SINCLAIR
It’s their fault! The Dallas boys!
They brought this evil into our
town!
WILLIAM ARCHER
Remember early when you asked who
was on my side?
Delvin stops talking and looks to William who wipes his
bloody face.
WILLIAM ARCHER CONTINUED
You may have God, but I got the
Dallas boys and right now, I think
they are set to win.
DELVIN SINCLAIR
Blasphemy! We are not scared of
you! You’ll run away leaving them
to clean up your mess!
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 50.
WILLIAM
I am a runner. When life got to
tough here, I run off. I joined
people, I did things. But, off all
the things I’ve seen you are the
worst evil.
DELVIN SINCLAIR
Evil? ha! I am a child of God.
WILLIAM ARCHER
I hope so. Because I’m no longer
running. I’m staying here and you
can mark my words. By the end of
this, it’s either going to be you
standing or us.
William spits blood on the ground and turns around walking
away. The Dallas boys following.
JOE
I don’t know if you’re stupid or a
genius.
DELVIN SINCLAIR
It will be me. It will!
William says nothing as he walks.
DELVIN SINCLAIR
Our church will stand!
William and the Dallas boys walking away,...
A beat.
EXT. CREEK - AFTERNOON
William sits down at the edge of the creek, his father body
still bopping back and forth.
WILLIAM
I’m sorry, pa. I know I told you I
wouldn’t be gone long, But weeks
turned to months and time fell from
me. I wish I could of told you
goodbye. Wish I could of said a lot
of things. You were a good man and
you don’t deserve to dissolve in a
creek.
William stands up as music begins to play.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 51.
SARAH (OS)
I wanted to invite you over for
dinner tonight.
William stares up at Sarah who is walking over.
WILLIAM
I can’t.
She is about to ask why.
WILLIAM CONTINUED
We still haven’t been introduced
proper like.
SARAH
You know my name and I know yours.
WILLIAM
Even so. I would, but my sister
kinda had her hopes of me eating
with her tonight and some boy.
Sarah is sad.
WILLIAM
You’re welcomed to join us. There’s
more than enough.
SARAH
The Dallas boys need me to fix up
their food.
WILLIAM
I think they can survive without
you for one night.
SARAH
A night? I thought it was just
dinner?
WILLIAM
Well, I am a keen chess player as
well.
Sarah and William look at each other smiling no words
needing to be spoken, they like each other.
SARAH
I’ll see you tomorrow.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 52.
WILLIAM
Tomorrow it is than. Maybe, I’ll
even get your name.
Sarah shakes her head walking off.
William grabs a shovel and begins to dig near a tree.
CUT TO:
EXT. DALLAS COTTAGE - AFTERNOON
Harvey and Joe get out of the truck. Sarah comes out hugging
Joe and gesturing her brothers inside the house.
Joe goes to the back of the truck finding it loaded with
moonshine. He nods to Harvey who smiles.
CUT TO:
EXT. CREEK - AFTERNOON
William is near a tree just outside his sisters home. He has
dug a grave.
He walks down to the creek, grabs his father and wraps him
in a white sheet. He lowers him into the hole.
Ellie is out now. She is crying, resting her head on
William’s shoulder.
He hugs her, before he returns to burying his father.
Charlie walks up as they finish their goodbyes to their
father.
Charlie and William shake hands and enter the house.
CUT TO:
INT. ELLIE’S HOUSE - AFTERNOON
Ellie pours soup for Charlie and William who has his face
cleaned up. He sips the soup.
Charlie smiles, and Ellie laughs as William mentions her
when she was young.
William looks outside, the sun is slowly fading.
CUT TO:
53.
INT. OLD SMOKEY BAR - NIGHT
Sarah has a rag in her hand she is rubbing down the bar, a
few people in the bar discussing the fight between Delvin
and William.
Sarah looks up finding William.
The music slowly fades.
WILLIAM
I figured with all the ruckus
that’s started, and me being a no
show for dinner, maybe you would
like a strong man to walk you home.
SARAH
Sure, if you can find one.
William chuckles. He heads to the bar sitting down. Sarah
making him a drink.
SARAH
So you sticking around I take it?
WILLIAM
Yeah, I reckon I should considering
your brother offered me a job with
him.
SARAH
And you don’t want to get on, Joe’s
bad side.
PULL BACK:
Their words begin to drown out.
WILLIAM
No, from what I hear handle himself
in a fight and as you know I can’t.
Sarah smiles.
INT. DELVIN’S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Delvin is sitting in a rocking chair, a cat walking around
the room like it owns it.
DELVIN SINCLAIR
I don’t care. We’ve come to far. To
far!
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 54.
Hampton is standing by the fire place and Donald is sitting
an another chair near his brother.
DONALD Q
These Dallas boys are more trouble,
than the Martin boy returning.
HAMPTON
What would you have us do?
DELVIN SINCLAIR
I don’t know, yet. They need to be
dealt with. This town is just the
first step. Elections are in late
summer and I want to win. That’s
where the real change begins.
DONALD Q
They embarrassed you in front of
the flock. They may start to
question the resolve.
Delvin stands up.
DELVIN SINCLAIR
This just strengthens the resolve.
May even help you tighten your grip
on those boys and their moonshine.
HAMPTON
I hear they even got the William
boy working with them now too.
DELVIN SINCLAIR
Sin seeps in everywhere. We have to
strike those they love and get them
at their knees.
DONALD Q
Why don’t we just kill them.
Delvin looks from his brother to Hampton who shrugs his
shoulder with no better idea.
DONALD Q
Just kill them.
BLACK:
END
Pete Hudson's Film and T.V. Scripts 